Thanks Chip, Debunix, John and Paul. I have an update. It's looking better all the time. I have some ladies (docents) from the Everson museum coming tomorrow to check out my setup for future trips for groups from the education/outreach program.

Here are the newest pics ...

I have the last bricks on order, they have to ship them from Maryland. That will finish the top of the chamber off. Then I will put IFB's (insulated fire bricks) above the pavers as insulation then the final covering/cap. I will weld the iron work frame in place and ... well... then grading, laying the patio blocks, cleaning up... it never stops. Oh yeah, then throwing more pottery Cheers,Bill

JBaymore wrote:That is a far better design that that manabigama thing you had. I think you'll be VERY happy you made the change.

Looking good.

best,

.....................john

Thanks John and Debunix, I couldn't agree more. I have the wide firebox like a noribigama, the ash dispersing abilities and heat constrictions of an anagama and "walk-in to load" settings in the design. I will have the first two stacks basically doubled, where my best stuff comes from and no more cool top back corner because ... there is no top back corner any more. I have almost doubled my chamber size as well. I also think my third stack will be almost as hot as the front with the "funneling" from the anagama design. The folks from the Everson Museum came out today and LOVED my set up! They wondered how many people I could stand at a time. They hoped 20 wouldn't be too many at once. They booked a group visit for the middle of October already. They warned me it's not good to be popular with the Everson, saying that there will be groups that want to come out all the time! The view, our country home, the studio and kiln, all make it a wonderful experience! Not too shabby, huh? Sounds like a win - win to me !Cheers always,Bill

This is the interior, a combination of new and used bricks from the previous kiln. The darkest ones were closest to the firebox and the dark ivory colored ones were near the back. The off white ones are new.

Here you can see the chicken wire on top, ready for the final capping. Also the rock buttressing is in place and steps are started.

Shaping up! I will be able to stand up inside of this one and no more climbing and crawling in and out to load or unload.

Door bricks are in/cut. Hard brick inside layer, soft insulating brick outside. Five primary air openings are at the bottom of the door, one large one in the middle, two medium ones on each side of it and two smaller square ones near the outer corners. These will be adjusted (blocked up or opened) as needed during the firing to allow air to the embers which will increase the heat to that corresponding section. We want an "even" firing.

I made a smokey fire to soot up the door opening so when I was grinding each brick to fit, I could get a register on it where it was still rubbing, like the dentist does with that little dark strip of black paper when he or she is checking your "bite"...

I am getting close with the kiln!!! (Sorry it's been a lot of work!) I got all the welding done today and started cleaning up even. All I need to finish up is mortaring the buttressing boulders in place and finishing the steps I moved over. Here is the door and some frame details. I added a sliding door using the same hardware that my barn door has. There are wheels in the track above. The door is a chunk of kiln lid with Kaowool and then some stainless, recycled, kiln skin over it.